Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
Overview
Description
The alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba, formerly Apus melba) is a species of swift found in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia. They breed in mountains from southern Europe to the Himalayas. Like common swifts, they are migratory; the southern European population winters further south in southern Africa. They have very short legs which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. Like most swifts, they never settle voluntarily on the ground, spending most of their lives in the air living on the insects they catch in their beaks.1
Taxonomy
Apodiformes > Apodidae (Swifts) > Swifts
Sightings
Relevant Sightings
- 02-07-2025 - Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Only Sighting)
Places Seen
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Media
Photographs
No photographs available.
Audio Recordings
No audio recordings available.